1I sat on this woman, April's couch and waited as she was in the other room speaking to the gentlemen we were coming there to meet. I was apprehensive. Something about this entire situation seemed very odd to me. I still didn't understand why we had to go through a third party in order to meet. I mean what could four young guys have to fear from two girls? If anything we were at the disadvantage, but it was also odd to me because April seemed both kind and relatively normal. So I was going out on a limb and assuming that these guys we were meeting weren't gang members or some other form of alternative lifestyle that would make more sense for our odd gathering.

I leaned back in my seat taking in my surroundings my eyes scanning the room slowly. Memorizing it, all the detail. I stirred, feeling impatient and myself become nervous. I could feel myself growing tense and it was causing me to become annoyed. There were few things I disliked more then being uncomfortable and out of control of the situation I was in. At the moment I felt very much like I was both.

I looked over at Melinda and could see she too was very nervous. She was moving a lot in her seat, with a rather distant expression on her face. But I don't think her tension was the same as mine. I had pretty much concluded she had come here with some sort of expectations about meeting this Donnie guy and that she was worried he or she wouldn't meet them. She was listening to them talk. I was only vaguely aware of there words, concentrating more on the tones. None of the voices seemed violent or crazed. I relaxed just slightly. Maybe this guy was just shy. As odd as that sounded considering he was beating up thugs and saving people in the middle of the night.

I could hear the group moving closer and I sat up straighter in my chair. I looked over to Melinda and smiled at her. Nodding with an encouraging expression. She seemed so excited about this and I didn't want to ruin her moment. I just hoped it turned out to be everything she seemed to be wishing for. April walked back in and smiled at both of us. I returned the friendly gesture but my face feel when I saw what followed her.

To say I was shocked by what meet my eyes would be an understatement. Following April were four, creatures. They were turtles, but with human traits. They were all around five feet tall, with strong, well-built bodies. Bodies crafted my guess for combat. My adrenaline kicked in. Something seemed very odd about all of this. April stepped forward still smiling and introduced each turtle by name. They all looked at us and we looked at them.

Donatello, the one in purple, whom Melinda had wanted to meet, was hanging back a little. I was right about one thing he did look shy. He was watching Mel, with a small almost hopeful smile on his face; his demeanor was quiet and thoughtful. He seemed to be looking to the turtle next to him the one in orange for guidance.

Michelangelo, the turtle in orange that Donatello was looking at was grinning from ear to ear. I almost felt disarmed by him. He has such adorable innocents radiating from him; it almost broke down the fear that was rushing through me. His eyes were sparkling and he was looking from Don back to Mel and back to Don again. I could see him grinning approvingly at his brother, and it irked me to realize he was judging Melinda even if it was in a positive light.

The one with the red bandana, Raphael slapped at Mike. I could see he was annoyed with his brother, but I couldn't honestly see a reason. Then judging by the sour, bored expression on his face, I was guessing this Raphael didn't need much reason to be annoyed but it was more like his favorite state of being. He glared at me briefly before turning to glare at Mel. I rolled my eyes as my gaze feel on the forth and last turtle.

The one in the blue bandana, Leonardo had his eyes locked squarely on me. I felt a brief flicker of self-conciseness at his gaze and that annoyed me. I held his stare, trying to read him and was surprised. He was a completely closed book. A very guarded and private personality. He wasn't going to allow me to garner a single fact about him by chance, as annoyed with the situation as I was at the moment; I felt a base respect for that.

Things happened quickly; my assessments took seconds and then my gaze turned back to Melinda. She looked so shocked and I couldn't blame her. I think if I wasn't so concerned about our well being I may have shown more shock myself. At the moment my thoughts revolved around the two of us continuing to be safe. I watched as Melinda stood swiftly, I could almost see her heart breaking and it made me angry. She called out my name a small, plaintive sound and just stood staring. I was on my feet in seconds and by her side.
"Is this some sort of perverted joke?" My eyes fell on April, the only other human in the room for some sort of conformation about this situation. April looked back at me. I could tell she was uncomfortable by our reactions and her gaze quickly fell away. She looked to the turtle creatures for support and it was then Raphael spoke.

"Why do ya think we are a perverted joke?" His voice was cold and so was his gaze. Our eyes locked and I didn't back down. Instead I moved a few steps putting myself between these creatures and Melinda, not certain what sort of game they were playing.

"I don't know what I really think at the moment. Only I know I am NOT comfortable with this." Melinda was silent behind me but I could see her shaking out of the corner of my eye. I didn't want to start a fight because I knew that would scare her more, but I also wasn't going to just allow us to be herded into whatever plan these creatures had for us.

"Yeah," Raphael just kept going. "Well we don't even really want to be here meeting you anyway." I could see Michelangelo turn and hiss at him glaring. My eyes darted across them and I could see Donatello had an almost hurt expression. He seemed confused and was trying to see around me to Melinda to discover her reaction. "I mean I REALLY don't understand why the hell Don insisted…"

"That's enough Raphael." Leonardo spoke and his brother fell into a brooding silence. I glared at Raph a moment longer before turning my attention to Leonardo. He was coolly assessing everything that was going on. His expression unreadable unlike his brothers. His pupil less eyes lingered on my own. "We are not forcing you to stay if you don't want to you know." He voice was flat, indifferent.

I turned to look back at Melinda, trying to figure out what she wanted. She was still staring wordlessly at Donatello, as if she was trying to fathom how all of her hopes had been flipped so around, so quickly. I sighed annoyed. "You know you guys could have warned us." This time I spoke directly to Leonardo, as he seemed to be in charge of the group.

He blinked a few times, his emotionless gaze unnerving me. " I nether condoned nor asked for us to come here to meet you. I came because my brother wanted to meet your friend and she sought out him. You chose to find us, why do we owe you anything?" He crossed his arms. He appeared so sure of himself so pomp it's just annoyed me even more.

"Well even if you are," My voice took a hard turn. "Whatever you are, you think you could have the courteousy to at least try to act civil." I turned my glare right on Donatello. "I mean I would think you wouldn't want to scare us." I could see by his expression my words hurt him. He looked to Michelangelo next to him and then away. He was a bit uncomfortable and maybe ashamed of himself.

Raphael moved as if to rebut me, but Leonardo's arm shot out in front of him stopping him from moving. Raphael glared briefly at his brother, looking as if he was about to chew him out instead of me. Leonardo stood his ground and never let his gaze falls from Raphael's. As put off as I was by this situation I found there group dynamics fascinating and I watched the two. Raphael milled about for a moment looking very tense before turning away forcefully. I could hear him growl lightly and Leonardo turned back to me. His expression now hard. I tried not to appear threaten or weak.

"Donatello had no intention of frightening the two of you and I DON'T like your implication that he did." I held his gaze as hard as it was to do so. I wanted nothing more then to just turn away. I felt very much like this turtle was scolding me and I didn't appreciate that. "You two chose to meet us. I am not certain why we had to set this up, I told Donatello this was a bad idea." He sighed, he suddenly looked tired. Like some burden Leo carried was weighing on him too heavily for him to hide it at that moment.

"I told you, you shouldn't have told Raph and Leo, Don." Michelangelo was shaking his head at his two other brothers. "I knew they wouldn't understand any of this." I could see plainly Mike was annoyed with Leo and Raph's reaction to all of this. He seemed to be supporting Donatello the most and he was annoyed his brothers were not doing the same. "I mean geeze, Raph wouldn't know what a civil relationship was if it bit him and Leo is to concerned with katas to really understand being lonely."

Don's eyes grew wide at Mike's remarks and I thought it was almost like his green skin was blushing. Raphael growled as Mike mentioned him and started to make a threatening gesture. I looked to Leo without thought waiting for him to stop him and froze, slightly surprised by the expression on his face. No longer was it dead or hard. Instead his expression was ever so slightly pained and I realized Michelangelo's words had hit him in maybe on of his few weak spots.

"Mike, I'll show you civil!" Raphael raised a fist, and Mike gave his brother an annoyed look.

"Lay off Raph, if they don't already think we are nuts, they defiantly will if you start beating everyone in the room up." Mike turned back to Don and tried to give him an encouraging smile. Raphael turned away, exchanging looks with Leo as Mike kept talking. "So… um Melinda it was right? How are you, you haven't spoken yet." Mike looked right past me at Mel. I turned slightly and my gaze too fell on her. She still looked a little lost; her eyes still locked on Don a searching look in her expression.

"I," She sounded unsure. "I don't know this has all happened so fast. I could see her expression become pained and as hers did Donatello's reflected it. I was beginning to think maybe Donatello did have more of a vested interest in Melinda then I was giving him credit for. I still didn't really approve of the situation, but if he had developed some sort of feelings for her I could at least understand it.

"Look, Melinda I am sorry if I have inconvienced you." Don's voice was soft very unsure. I felt pity for him. "Maybe this was a bad idea." His face was pained. Michelangelo looked disappointed. I looked back at Melinda with concern worried about how she felt. She looked very distressed. Like she was being torn in three different directions at once. She looked at me. I could plainly see she wanted guidance, but this was one situation where I simply wasn't sure what to tell her.

"What do you want to do Mel?" My voice was soft, curious. Non-judgmental. Whatever she decided I would accept and back up. I could feel eyes on me as she thought. And turned my head slightly. Leonardo was still glaring at me. Our gazes waged for a moment until finally I looked away. I was maddened. I couldn't believe I couldn't hold his expression, but his look was so intense. It chilled me in an odd way. Made me nervous.

"Maybe we should just leave, Donatello. I don't think we are wanted here. I am certain April can show the ladies the way out." Leonardo's glare never left me as he talked to his brother. I felt like he was blaming me for the situation not working out the way it seemed to have been planned. I turned away from him, trying not to appear haughty, and looked at Don and the pained expression he had, my eyes narrowed.

"You know Leonardo, considering this situation doesn't actually involve you, maybe your opinion isn't needed." I turned to face him again. My expression becoming hard. I could see Mike and Raph exchange looks out of the corner of my eye. There expressions surprised. Leonardo was no different. His eyes flashed a little shock on his features for a moment as I spoke back to him. Clearly he had not been expecting me to talk back to him. I had the feeling he was the type of guy who usually got his way and was not used to having a total stranger question something he thought was right.

"You know Lea, maybe you should mind your own business. This is MY family and whatever they do concerns me. I won't let anyone hurt them for any reason." The two of us square off. Both with set expressions glaring at one another. Each daring the other to sling the first real insult. Both with the desire to make the other appear bad.

"Please don't fight." Melinda's voice is soft behind me and I turn, my gaze losing some of its edge. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have come here so blindly. I was a fool." Melinda looked down, I could see her sorrow and felt ashamed for making a scene. I decided to just keep quiet for the time being, I reached out to touch her arm, my expression earnest. I wanted her to know she had my support and she didn't have to feel badly. Behind me I could hear shuffling. The turtles were all milling around. Exchanging looks. I assumed they weren't to use to dealing with female emotions and the conflicting problems they can cause. I sighed, unsure what to do without causing further issues.

"You don't have to feel bad Melinda. Your friend's right I should have been more clear with you from the start." Don looked so sincere, for being what he was, he didn't seem like that bad of a guy. I allowed my gaze to fall back to Mel to see how she would reply.

She fidgeted for a moment, looking unsure of her own words. "Donatello," She really looked at him for the first time and I was surprised when I thought I saw her flush, but still I didn't comment. "Maybe it would be best if I had some time to think. I mean all of this is a real shock, it's a lot to take in at one time." Melinda smiled weakly.
"Time to take it in?" Don sighed and nodded. "Yeah I guess it would be. I mean…" His voice drifted off, he looked hurt. "Well we will just leave then and give you whatever time you need." Don looked over at Leo and Leonardo nodded. Turning as if to leave Mel suddenly spoke out her voice stronger
"Would tomorrow be alright?" Four shocked Turtles turned to look at her. I had to stifle a laugh that was trying to leave my throat; the look of surprise on Leo's face was priceless.

Don's frown, creep up into a tiny hopeful smile. "You mean you want to see us again tomorrow?" I could hear Raphael snort, a sort of disgusted noise I rolled my eyes at his antics.

Melinda seemed oblivious to the disapproving looks coming from both Leo and Raphael. She smiled softly. "Yes tomorrow. I just need a little time to think about all of this. Like I said, it's a lot for one afternoon." Her smile became an almost playful smirk. Looking at Don I could see him blush lightly.

"Tomorrow would be good!" Michelangelo beside Don seemed ecstatic at the conversation. His other two brothers less thrilled.
"Don are you sure?" Leo crossed his arms again, giving his brother a suspicious look. "I mean…"

"I am sure Leo." Don cut Leonardo off, and judging from Leonardo's face when he did I was guessing it didn't happen often. I chuckled lightly not able to control myself any longer. Leo's face turned instantly, his eyes meeting mine. Annoyance in them. I could see there was something he would like to say to me, but just as I was he appeared to be holding his tongue. Trying not to ruin the situation for his loved one.

Don had a huge smile on his face. I would almost say he was beaming. I couldn't help but smile too, Don and Melinda were both so cute in a similar way. "Tomorrow it is then Don." Melinda's voice grew softer again; I think she was getting shy.

"Tomorrow it is." The two stood there kind of looking at one another. Michelangelo suddenly elbowed Don lightly.

"You want us to meet you back here after dinner? It's easier for us to travel in the dark?" Mike was smirking at Don. I think he found amusement in the fact his brother was clearly at a lost for the correct words to say to Melinda to finalize the plans.

Melinda simply nodded shyly and it was my turn to smirk. I answered for her. "That should be perfect Michelangelo, we didn't have any plans yet anyway." I smiled at him and he returned it.

"Well I am NOT coming back here!" Raphael grumbling, looking to Leo for support. Leonardo looked kind of distant, like something more then just the situation at hand was weighing on him.

"I'll come back with you Don." Leo's voice sounded tired now, the fire that had been in it earlier was gone. "If anything happens I don't want you and Mike alone." He was no longer looking at me. He had drifted back into his emotionless bubble he had been in when we had first meet him. "Is that settled then? It's getting late, we should go."

Raphael was already walking towards the door seemly having had enough of Melinda and myself. Mike was walking behind him, teasing him about being a grouch. I shook my head, thinking maybe pushing Raph's buttons wasn't the best idea.
I watched Don and Melinda exchange shy smiles and Don turned to start to go. I could tell Leo was waiting for him, but before he moved Leonardo stopped to stare at me for a moment more. I felt a little unnerved by him. He opened his mouth clearly about to speak, but stopped and shook his head thinking better of it. He gave me one last confusing sort of look and turned towards the door. "Let's go Don"

The last two turtles exited and Melinda and I were left standing there. I glanced over at April, who had been very quiet during out entire exchange. "That was odd." I stated bluntly, interested in her reaction.

"Yes well you will have to excuse Leo and Raph. Leo is just over protective of his brothers and well Raphael…" Her voice drifted off and I smirked.

"I think I get the idea." I turned towards Melinda, chuckling at the baffled expression still on her face. "You ready to go Sis? I am getting hungry."

We said our goodbyes to April and exited her apartment ourselves. Mel was pretty quiet most of our walk to the subway station and I allowed her, her time to think. My mind was pretty full itself. What an odd situation to find ourselves in. Presented with such a surreal predicament. At the same time the whole thing excited a small part of me. I always longed for the prospect of adventure and this qualified as that.